Samuel Hillier was born on 23rd June 1905 in West Hartlepool to James Hillier, a firewood merchant, and Matilda Hillier. In 1921 he is listed as living at 72 Alice Street, West Hartlepool with his parents and sisters, Mary and Ellen and two older brothers, John and Fred.

By 1939, Samuel is listed as living at 68 Clarendon Road, West Hartlepool with his wife, Ada, whom he married in 1934. He also had 3 children listed, Jean, Frederick and John. Samuel worked at South Durham Steel and Iron Co before the war, but had also signed up as a reservist.

Unfortunately, it is not known when Samuel signed up to the Royal Artillery, however he appears in images taken of 476 Bty, 111 Field Regiment in Durban, South Africa in July 1942 when the regiment was on the way to Egypt.

Samuel, being a Lance Sergeant, would have played a key role in his troop throughout the battles across North Africa.

Sadly, on 23rd March 1943 during the “Left Hook” on the Tebaga Gap, Samuel was mortally wounded. He succumbed to his wounds on 3rd April 1943 and is buried at Tripoli War Cemetery in Libya.